Republic of Ireland goalkeeper Shay Given looks set to miss the upcoming friendlies against Paraguay and Algeria at the RDS after injuring his left shoulder in Manchester City’s Premier League draw against Arsenal at The Emirates this evening.
City will also have to do without their number one as they continue the fight to claim fourth position and a Champions League slot for next season.
The Donegalman was fully extended in getting a hand to a stinging Abou Diaby shot after 70 minutes and looked in a lot of pain during lengthy treatment on the pitch.
Given was administered oxygen before being taken off on a stretcher to be replaced by Gunnar Nielsen.
After the game, City manager Roberto Mancini confirmed that Given had gone straight to hospital for treatment, while there was speculation that he may have broken his shoulder.
Mancini, though, believes his side can cope without Given in their last three games of the season and gave credit to Faroe Islands international Nielsen.
“I hope it’s a little injury, but I don’t know. Now Shay is in the hospital so I don’t know,” Mancini said. “I don’t think we have a problem for the next three games.”
Defender Kolo Toure admitted Given will be a loss, but gave his backing to Nielsen.
“I think he’s done his shoulder,” said the Ivorian. “He’s a really important player for us. I think the second goalkeeper did really well.”
The worry for Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trapattoni is that Given has already had surgery on his left shoulder, that has troubled him throughout his career.
If he requires a further operation it could also rule him out of the glamour friendly against Argentina at the new Aviva Stadium on August 11th, before Trapattoni’s side open their European Championship qualifying campaign away to Armenia on September 3rd.